First-year varsity football programs aren’t supposed to hand out punishment to seasoned foes, have an overpowering offense or a thwarting defense.

They also are not supposed to win back-to-back games to start the season. Obviously Veritas Christian didn’t get that memo.

The Eagles, in their first year of varsity eight-man football, improved to 2-0 by shellacking 2003 state runner-up Wichita Sunrise, 40-19, Friday night at Westwick Rugby Complex. Last weekend they won their inaugural varsity game, 58-12, against Kansas City (Mo.) East.

“It’s just great,” junior running back Jesse Schultz said of the undefeated start. “We have some really good coaches. Our line coach, our position coaches, our head coach, everybody is just top notch, and to start out a legacy like this is just top notch.”

The fast start wasn’t totally unexpected, however. The Eagles have played together for four years, just not at the varsity level. They are a well-groomed program that entered the season already set in it’s offensive strategy and defensive schemes.

The Eagles’ stats prove they are ready for the elevated competition level.

The Veritas defense forced five turnovers, including three interceptions.

Offensively, Schultz rushed 21 times for 191 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Paul Kempf carried 12 times for 124 yards, caught three passes for 54 yards and had a 76-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Meanwhile, offensive linemen Andrew Bartlow, a junior, freshman Matt Moncher and sophomore Krestan Boutross blew open holes to run through all night.

Big holes came early and often. After Kempf forced a Sunrise fumble on its first possession, Schultz scored on an 11-yard run. Sunrise answered with a quick score and pulled within 8-7, but after that it was all Veritas.

6Sports video: Veritas improves to 2-0

The Eagles pushed their lead to 20-7 after the first quarter with short touchdown runs by Schultz and quarterback Casey Woods. The score held through halftime, but Veritas cranked up the offense again in the third quarter.

Schultz punched in touchdowns from five and 30 yards, and Kempf added a 76-yard score on a kickoff return. Sunrise (0-1) added a pair of second-half touchdowns, too, but never posed a serious threat.

“We’re off to a great start,” Veritas coach Doug Bennett said. “I know we’re going to run into some teams that are going to give our licks back to us, but it’s nice when you look at the competition and we should control the game, that we are playing our game, that we’re still playing to our ability.”

Veritas next plays at 7 p.m. Friday at Topeka Cair Paravel in its first road game of the year.